Vernacular Press Act, 1878 passed to

Correct option is C

The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was introduced by the British government in India under the
viceroyalty of Lord Lytton. It aimed to silence the voices of Indian journalists and intellectuals who were
becoming increasingly critical of British colonial policies. The Act gave the government extensive powers
to censor and shut down any Indian-language newspapers that were deemed to be inciting rebellion or
criticizing British rule.
This Act was a response to the rising nationalist sentiments and the growing role of the Indian
vernacular press in spreading anti-British opinions. It was widely resented by Indian journalists, and the
law was seen as a blatant violation of the freedom of speech. The Act allowed the government to
confiscate printing presses, impose fines, and even imprison editors without trial. Due to intense
opposition from Indian intellectuals and journalists, the Act was eventually repealed in 1882.
Information Booster:
· The Vernacular Press Act targeted newspapers published in Indian languages, which were playing a significant role in fostering nationalist ideas.
· It allowed the British authorities to censor and shut down any publication critical of their policies.
· The Act was a direct attack on the growing influence of the Indian press in mobilizing public opinion against colonial rule.
· It was seen as discriminatory since English-language publications were not subjected to the same censorship.
· The Act was repealed in 1882 due to widespread opposition and pressure from Indian intellectuals.
Additional Knowledge:
· The Act did not allow Indian newspapers to flourish; it aimed to suppress them.
· European publications were not affected by the Act, which primarily targeted Indian-language newspapers.
· While the law affected newspapers in vernacular languages, its goal was not to promote printing in these languages but to suppress dissent.